STH WOODFORD: Row rages on over George Lane CCTV (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Opinion still split over the Council's motives for installing CCTV in George Lane

11:47am Wednesday 15th July 2009 in News By Crystal Wilde

A ROW continues to rage over what the new CCTV system in South Woodford will be used for, after the most detailed plans to date were released.

Maps have been drawn up of the proposed £1.7million regeneration of George Lane, pin-pointing plans for improving pavements, shop forecourts and the placement of nine new CCTV cameras.

But while the improvement works, which also include better lighting, seating and cycle parking, have been generally welcomed by traders, controversy continues to rage on about the council's motives in installing the cameras.

Cabinet member for the environment and highways, Cllr Michelle Dunn, said her comments were taken completely out of context in an article in another local paper in which she appeared to contradict the official council line on the plan.

She said: “The problem was there were two sets of questions being asked and the story that was covered was totally wrong.

“We were being asked about the Smart car, which is used for parking, but the two stories had just been put together.

“The cameras are just for safety and they're not going to be used for traffic offences.

“It's got to be a move in the right direction.”

Cllr Ian Bond, of Mulberry Way, South Woodford, however, said he had been told that once the cameras had the capabilities to do so, they would be used to catch drivers flouting the law.

He said: “I had a meeting with officers and it came up in passing.

“My understanding is that originally the cameras will be wireless and their won't be enough pixels available to read number plates, so they won't be used for that when they're first introduced.

“But it's the longer term plan to raise them to the standards of the Ilford ones, where they have cables running back to a base.

“At some point they are going to be used for parking but when that will be I don't know.”

Joe Federico of the Little Woodford Cafe in George Lane said he will start a petition if the cameras are used for the wrong reasons.

He said: “We are all for the regeneration but I just don't believe that the council won't use the cameras for parking.

“There's hardly any crime here as it is and if they do start that it's going to turn our customers away.

“Also, I've no idea how we'll load the shop up if we'll get a ticket just for parking outside for a few minutes.”

The cameras are expected to go up next month with the rest of the work, which is mostly funded by Transport for London, taking place over the next three years.

If you have a view on this call Crystal Wilde on: 07500105941 or email cwilde@london.newsquest.co.uk To view the plans visit: http://moderngov.redbridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.asp?MId=4891